Canadian airlines agree joint venture
Canadian carriers Air Transat and Porter Airlines are extending their existing code-sharing agreement by creating a joint venture. Air Transat serves more than 60 destinations in 25 countries, while Porter operates to 30 in Canada and the US. The alliance will offer enhanced flight options across many regions.
airtransat.com
OPERATOR AVIATION
EasyJet’s Birmingham base to open early with 16 holiday routes
EasyJet will open its three-aircraft base at Birmingham airport earlier than planned, with flights and packages on 16 routes to commence from March. Antalya and Barcelona will
take off on March 18, followed by Alicante and Tenerife on March 19, Larnaca on March 20, and Malaga and Enfidha both starting on March 21. Berlin will launch on April 1,
followed by Sharm el-Sheikh and Jersey from April 2. Heraklion will begin on
April 3, with Dalaman and Fuerteventura from April 4. Rhodes will start on April 23,
followed by flights to Corfu on May 1 and Kos from May 3.
easyjet.com/en/holidays/ trade-portal
Solmar takes on 450-plus ex-James Villas properties
Samantha Mayling
Solmar Villas has expanded its range of properties formerly featured by defunct operator James Villas to more than 450 and added Greece’s Peloponnese to its range of destinations. The villa accommodation specialist is heading
into 2024 with a record 2,000-plus properties across Europe and Florida on its books. James Villas parent company Awaze announced
the closure of the brand on October 30. Within days, Solmar had secured more than 200 of James Villas’ cancelled properties, rising to 300 by November 10 and now totalling more than 450. The family-run company, based in Burton upon
Trent, said November had been “unexpectedly busy” because it has been supporting agents and customers affected by the shock closure of James Villas.
Eurostar to suspend direct services from Amsterdam to London in 2024
Direct Eurostar services from Amsterdam to London will be suspended from June 2024 until January 2025 while part of the Dutch city’s main railway station closes for maintenance. London-bound passengers travelling from Amsterdam and Rotterdam will need to use intercity trains to connect to the Eurostar network in Brussels. Trains from London to Amsterdam will operate as normal.
eurostar.com
travelweekly.co.uk Separately, Solmar has added 12 exclusive villas
in the Peloponnese on the southern tip of mainland Greece for 2024. These include Villa Achilleas, which is available from £3,125 for seven nights’ accommodation- only, and Villa Mulberry, from £837 for seven nights. Julie Blake, chief executive of Solmar Villa Holidays,
said: “The Peloponnese is a truly magical place with its striking scenery, mountain-backed beaches, ancient sites, medieval castles, beautiful views, sandy beaches, spectacular vineyards, exquisite cuisine and, of course, its rich history as home of the Olympic Games.” Solmar is initially offering villas in the Kardamili,
Methoni and Stoupa areas of the region and will add more properties in the new year. The Peloponnese joins the Ionian coast, Kos
and Ibiza as destinations recently added to Solmar’s European portfolio.
solmarvillas.com
Villa Achilleas
Villa Mulberry
PICTURE: Stratos Saranteas
Holiday Webtech offers agents booking widget for Jet2holidays
Tech specialist Holiday Webtech is offering agents the chance to install a Jet2holidays search-and- book widget for free. The widget can be placed on an existing website or added to a Facebook or Instagram page. There are no set-up or monthly costs, but a “small charge” when a booking is made.
holidaywebtech.co.uk
7 DECEMBER 2023 21
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Simone Previdi
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